Top four World Cup destinations

10/06/2010

Some football fanatics keen not to be seen as World Cup widowers this year might do well to mix the very serious business of supporting their team with something the missus might fancy, a spot of sight-seeing or sampling some foreign cuisine maybe? The following top four cities will be playing host to local and international fans alike and offer plenty of distractions besides the big game.

To start off the tour, head to Berlin, where large outdoor screens will be lining the streets between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Forget the all too easy jokes about 'not mentioning the war' (John Cleese in Fawlty Towers) and sample some refreshments in the form of bratwurst and pilsners. The match to watch: Germany versus the U.S. on June 27 at 4 p.m.

If you find yourself across the pond, head to Boston and the venue for the largest group of spectators in America: the Boston City Hall Plaza. Being home to a melting pot of nationalities, the city hung red, white and green colours from every building when Italy won in 2006-expect celebrations of the highest order no matter who the cup winners are.

Mexico City's stunning Plaza de la Constitución will see fans gather together between the city's National Palace, home of its federal Government, and the spectacular Metropolitan Cathedral to watch the action on outdoor screens. Just remember that some matches can begin as early as 6pm, so why not try a café con leche or some sweet pastries from nearby Café de Tacuba or a beer from the aptly named Salón Corona whilst the tension builds.

And finally, visitors to Paris will catch sight of French fans nestling in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, in a large open square called the Trocadéro, to take in the action. Celebrations promise to be enormous with crowds heading down alongside the river Seine to the Place de la Bastille for a massive dance party should the French 'blues' win or lose the cup. Bonne chance!